With reference to the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, what is the precise ideological concept and role assigned to a Bodhisattva?

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The Bodhisattva concept is the central baseline defining Mahayana Buddhism, contrasting with the early Theravada Arhat ideal. Instead of seeking immediate, private salvation, a Bodhisattva acts out of absolute universal compassion (karuna), remaining connected to the cycle of the material world to guide and ferry all sentient consciousness across the ocean of suffering.

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